Container seal closure and assembly

Abstract

A seal closure for a container includes a closure body and a plug liner. In embodiments, the closure body includes an upper wall, an outer annular wall, a radially outer support portion, and a radially inner support portion. The outer annular wall includes formations configured to engage a neck portion of a container. The plug liner may be configured to extend radially across the radially inner support portion. A hollow space can be formed by and provided between the plug liner, the radially inner support portion, and the upper wall. Embodiments of the closure may also include a plug seal. A method for designing or configuring a closure to accommodate or displace a headspace associated with a container is also disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A seal closure for a container, the closure comprising:
 a closure body including an upper wall, an outer annular wall, a radially outer support portion, and a radially inner support portion; the outer annular wall including formations configured to engage a neck portion of a container; and   a plug liner, the plastic plug liner extending radially across the radially inner support portion;   wherein a hollow space is formed by and provided between the plug liner, the radially inner support portion, and the upper wall.   
     
     
         2 . The seal closure of  claim 1 , wherein the radially inner support portion and the plug liner are formed as a unitary component. 
     
     
         3 . The seal closure of  claim 1 , wherein the plug liner extends vertically downward below the radially inner support portion. 
     
     
         4 . The seal closure of  claim 3 , wherein the plug liner extends vertically downward a distance that is about the same or greater than a distance that the lowermost point of the radially inner support portion extends vertically downward from the upper wall. 
     
     
         5 . The seal closure of  claim 1 , wherein the plug liner is substantially fixed and rigid. 
     
     
         6 . The seal closure of  claim 5 , wherein the plug liner is configured to substantially resist flex-inducing forces. 
     
     
         7 . The seal closure of  claim 1 , wherein the plug liner has a wall thickness that is at least as thick as a wall thickness of the radially inner support portion. 
     
     
         8 . The seal closure of  claim 1 , wherein the plug liner is comprised of plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The seal closure of  claim 1 , including a plug seal provided at or adjacent the upper wall and radially between the radially outer support portion and the radially inner support portion. 
     
     
         10 . The seal closure of  claim 1 , wherein the plug seal is comprised of plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The seal closure of  claim 10 , wherein the plug seal is comprised of thermoplastic elastomer or ethylene vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         12 . A method for designing or configuring a closure to accommodate or displace a headspace associated with a container, the method comprising:
 creating or generating a digital model of a seal closure with a closure body including an upper wall, an outer annular wall, a radially outer support portion, and a radially inner support portion; and   creating or generating a plug liner in or with the digital model such that the plug liner extends radially across the radially inner support portion to form a hollow space between the plug liner, the radially inner support portion, and the upper wall.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , including adjusting the volume of the hollow space. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the volume of the hollow space is sized or configured with respect to an anticipated container fill level. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , including adjusting the size or shape of the plug liner with respect to an anticipated container fill level. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , including a digital representation of a plug seal with the digital model, the plug seal provided at or adjacent the upper wall and radially between the radially outer support portion and the radially inner support portion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , including physically forming or manufacturing a closure with a plug liner and hollow space in accordance with the digital model. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , including physically forming or manufacturing a closure with a plug liner, hollow space, and plug seal in accordance with the digital model.